Malay journalist eager to observe elections

Nov. 2, 2012

Written by

Johardy Ibrahim

Special to the Democrat

On the plane from Kuala Lumpur to Washington, D.C., last week, I inadvertently picked up Bruce Willis’s new movie, “Lay the Favorite.” Much to my surprise, the movie showed some part of Tallahassee (well, I didn’t know it until the scene showed a sign “See You Again Tallahassee”).

The movie is lousy. The plot and the supposed comedy didn’t really click. But I will remember this movie simply because it was a kind of a divine signal from somewhere of my imminent arrival to this city of yours. I’m sure my 10-day assignment at the Tallahassee Democrat will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not only to observe and learn about how U.S. elections work but also the day-to-day operation of a U.S. newsroom.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Johardy Ibrahim. I’m a news editor for a Malay-language newspaper, Utusan Malaysia (www.utusan.com.my), literally translated as Malaysian Courier. Unlike the common setup of any news outlet in the United States, my newspaper is owned by the ruling party and the leaning is very much to the government. Having said that, that doesn’t mean we have zero press freedom. We do exposés on government misconduct too, but we focus on the opposition more intensely.

On the first day I reported to the Tallahassee Democrat, I was delighted to read a story from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital. It was on Tiger Woods, who participated in one of our international golf tournaments. At least I am assured that Malaysia is not as alien to the folks here. I hope.

My time here is under the auspices of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) specially tailored to present the opportunity for foreign journalists to closely follow and experience the 2012 Presidential election. Four years ago, I had to stay up until midnight (Malaysia time is approximately 12 hours ahead) to watch President Barack Obama take his oath of office. It could be one of the most momentous events that will stick forever in my head. It’s not merely American history to have a black president; but also history to the world.

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We in Malaysia are well attuned to the American culture and history. Thanks to HBO, MTV, CNN and Disney. We understand the issue of racial tension. I read about Abraham Lincoln during my teens and the 9/11-inspired War Against Terrorism. As a Muslim country, we are very much in the mix.

In 2003, I participated in the ICFJ and State Department’s program ‘Islam in America’ which brought me to Washington, D.C., Boston and Georgia. It opened up my eyes on the issue of interfaith cooperation and the importance of maximum tolerance between many religions in America. This delicate situation America is facing now is closely similar to what we have in Malaysia.

Even though Islam is the official religion under the federal constitution, Muslims comprise only about 70 percent of the total 28 million population. Unlike Indonesia, for example, our Muslim neighboring nation which has more than 95 percent Muslims, Malaysia has Chinese, Indian and other smaller indigenous ethnic groups.

The current political environment back home is that there is a bitter fight for popular votes among Malay Muslims between the liberal ruling parties and against a conservative Muslim party.

Each one tries to outdo the other by showing who is more conservative. While the non-Muslim political parties form coalitions with the warring Malay Muslim parties, they do their best to project their anti-Sharia positions. The situation is getting a bit murkier as the general election is to be called anytime between now and April. Political analysts expect the elections to be held in January, after the monsoon rain season we’re having now.

The other day I visited the Leon County Courthouse and watched early voting. I didn’t see many banners, party flags or party supporters trying to intimidate one another. It was surreal. It was very serious. Back home it was always a party atmosphere, sometimes a near riot with shouting, singing and crying. I am promised by my colleagues here in Tallahassee Democrat that there will be massive shows on the night of Nov 6. I can’t wait.